Impromptu Road Trip

April 22, 2013

Saturday, we took an impromptu road trip up to a local food expo (more on that tomorrow) in another town over.

This was the first time either of us had been west of our town and I was grateful to have the chance to see a little bit more of our new state on top of some much needed family time. Chris is getting busier and busier as we near the opening date for his new restaurant so we’re taking family time where we can get it, and it doesn’t get better than an afternoon adventure to some place new. It didn’t take us long to get out of town and into the incredible landscape of high desert plains. I had fully expected this part of Wyoming to be similar to western Iowa or Kansas, comprised of gently rolling prairie and a whole lot of flat. But it turns out that northern Wyoming is rough and rugged with gullies you wouldn’t want to get stuck in during a rain storm and a sky big enough to rival Montana. Not far to the west, mountains rose up as a backdrop to clouded foothills and a breathtaking view.I had to, of course, stop for some pictures.(Which was timed quite nicely with a break in the rain.)Weather here is going to take some getting used to. It’s just as well that there are no beaches within sight; it’s still quite cold, and not just in the mountains: we got another dusting today! Luckily, though, Saturday wasn’t as bad and though it rained for most of the drive, the sun peaked out just in time for us to get to the mountains.

Let me tell you, there is nothing like living two months in our part of Wyoming to make you want to kiss a tree. The severity of our current landscape makes the nearby mountains all the more awe-inspiring — especially when decorated with a handful of rainbows.